scholarly journals Trade-Offs between Sugarcane Straw Removal and Soil Organic Matter in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9363
Author(s):  
Maristela C. Morais ◽  
Marcos Siqueira-Neto ◽  
Henrique P. Guerra ◽  
Lucas S. Satiro ◽  
Amin Soltangheisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Total N ◽  
No Removal ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Sugarcane Straw ◽  
C Stock ◽  
Microbial C ◽  
Microbial N

Environmental benefits from bioenergy production derived from sugarcane crop residues (straw) can be lost by soil organic matter depletion resulting from excessive straw removal rates from fields. Soil organic carbon stock is the core for sustaining soil health, supporting nutrient cycling, and sequestering carbon dioxide. To find out that how much sugarcane straw can be removed from the field to produce bioenergy without changes in soil C concentrations, we investigated effects of straw removal rates (total, moderate, and no removal of sugarcane straw) on soil carbon and nitrogen fractions in an Oxisol and an Ultisol in southeastern Brazil for two years. Soil C and N fractions were affected by increased rates of straw removal at the second year. In the Oxisol, total straw removal decreased labile and microbial-C by ~30% and soil C stock by 20% compared to no straw removal. No removal decreased microbial-N and total N stock by ~15% and ~20%, respectively. In the Ultisol, no straw removal resulted in increases in C stock by >10% and labile and microbial-C by ~20% related to total straw removal. Total straw removal showed more microbial-N (~10%) and total-N stock (~25%) compared to no straw removal. The moderate straw removal intensity (i.e., 8 to 10 Mg ha−1 of straw) may control the straw-C release to soil by straw decomposition. This study suggests that excessive straw removal rates should be avoided, preventing SOM depletion and consequently, soil health degradation. Moderate straw removal seems to be a promising strategy, but long-term soil C monitoring is fundamental to design more sustainable straw management and bioenergy production systems.

scholarly journals Soil aggregation according to the dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in soil under different cropping systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 1652-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getulio de Freitas Seben Junior ◽  
José Eduardo Corá ◽  
Rattan Lal
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
C Sequestration ◽  
Pigeon Pea ◽  
Soil Aggregation ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Physical Fractionation ◽  
C Stock ◽  
C And N

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate total soil carbon and nitrogen, as well as their contents in particulate and mineral-associated C fractions; to determine C stock and sequestration rates in the soil; and to verify the effect of C and N contents on soil aggregation, using different crop rotations and crop sequences under no-tillage. The study was carried out for nine years in a clayey Oxisol. The treatments consisted of different cropping systems formed by the combination of three summer crops (cropped until March) - corn (Zea mays) monocropping, soybean (Glycine max) monocropping, and soybean/corn rotation - and seven second crops (crop successions). Soil samples were taken at the 0.00-0.10-m layer for physical fractionation of C and N, and to determine soil aggregation by the wet method. Soybean monocropping increased C and N in particulate C fraction, while the crop systems with corn monocropping x pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), corn monocropping x sun hemp (Crotalaria juncea), and soybean monocropping x corn as a crop succession increased total C in the soil. Greater rates of soil C sequestration were observed with soybean/corn rotation and with soybean monocropping, as well as with sun hemp as a second crop. The increase in total N increases soil C stock. Soil aggregation was most affected at particulate C fraction. Increases in soil N promote C addition to particulate fraction and enhance soil aggregation.

scholarly journals Subalpine grassland carbon balance during 7 years of increased atmospheric N deposition

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3807-3817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Volk ◽  
Jan Enderle ◽  
Seraina Bassin
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Balance ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Total N ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Grassland Ecosystems ◽  
Unimodal Response ◽  
Microbial N

Abstract. Air pollution agents interact when affecting biological sinks for atmospheric CO2, e.g., the soil organic carbon (SOC) content of grassland ecosystems. Factors favoring plant productivity, like atmospheric N deposition, are usually considered to favor SOC storage. In a 7-year experiment in subalpine grassland under N- and O3-deposition treatment, we examined C fluxes and pools. Total N deposition was 4, 9, 14, 29 and 54 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N4, N9, etc.); annual mean phytotoxic O3 dose was 49, 65 and 89 mmol m−2 projected leaf area. We hypothesized that between years SOC of this mature ecosystem would not change in control treatments and that effects of air pollutants are similar for plant yield, net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and SOC content, leading to SOC content increasing with N deposition. Cumulative plant yield showed a significant N and N  ×  N effect (+38 % in N54) but no O3 effect. In the control treatment SOC increased significantly by 9 % in 7 years. Cumulative NEP did show a strong, hump-shaped response pattern to N deposition with a +62 % increase in N14 and only +39 % increase in N54 (N effect statistically not significant, N  ×  N interaction not testable). SOC had a similar but not significant response to N, with highest C gains at intermediate N deposition rates, suggesting a unimodal response with a marginal (P = 0.09) N  ×  N interaction. We assume the strong, pollutant-independent soil C sink developed as a consequence of the management change from grazing to cutting. The non-parallel response of SOC and NEP compared to plant yield under N deposition is likely the result of increased respiratory SOC losses, following mitigated microbial N-limitation or priming effects, and a shift in plant C allocation leading to smaller C input from roots.

scholarly journals Influence of different stands of sal (Shorea robusta C. F. Gaertn.) forest of Bangladesh on soil health

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kamrul Hasan ◽  
Md Bayeazid Mamun
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Mixed Stand ◽  
Pure Stand ◽  
Total N ◽  
Exchangeable K

The study was conducted in Dukhula sadar and Gasabari forest range under Madhupur Sal Forest of Bangladesh to determine the soil nutrient composition and isolation of fungi with varying stands. Three stands viz. pure sal, plantation and mixed were considered as treatment of the study. A quadrate sample plot of 10×10 m2 size was measured to collect soil samples for both chemical analysis and fungi isolation. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, total N, available P, exchangeable K, available S, fungal abundance and colony character (cm) were determined to achieve the objective of the study. The results revealed that soil pH and electrical conductivity were highest (6.61 and 21.10?S/cm) in mixed stand and lowest (6.38 and 10.75?S/cm) in pure stand. Organic matter content and total N were highest (2.24 and 0.145%) in plantation stand and lowest (1.65 and 0.112%) in mixed and pure stand, respectively. Available P, exchangeable K and available S were highest (3.65, 98.66 and 17.53ppm) in pure stand and lowest (1.97, 79.49 and 10.25ppm) in plantation stand. In addition, four fungal genera Sclerotium, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Verticillium were identified in the study area soils. The highest fungal population (entire genus except Verticillium) (colony number/g soil) was found in mixed stand while it was found lowest in pure (Sclerotium ) and plantation stand (Rhizoctonia and Pythium ). There was no significant variation in colony diameter of the fungi among the treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that better soil health was maintained in natural forest rather than plantation forest.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(1): 17-25, April 2015

A soil health scoring framework for arable cropping systems in Saskatchewan Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianyi Wu ◽  
Kate A. Congreves
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Scoring Functions ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Weighting Factors ◽  
The Individual

Farmers are looking for appropriate tools for assessing and interpreting the health status of their soils; however, there is no standardized and prairie-based soil health scoring framework. As such, we focused on developing one for arable cropping systems in Saskatchewan. In 2018, soil samples (0-15, 15-30, and 30-60 cm depths) were collected from 55 arable fields across Saskatchewan, along with native prairie samples. Various soil chemical, physical, and biological attributes were measured (23 attributes in total). Based on the data distribution for each attribute, we developed scoring functions. The results from multivariate analyses were used to determine the weighting factors needed to integrate the individual scores from each soil attribute into a single Saskatchewan Assessment of Soil Health (SASH) score. Soil C and N indices (soil organic C, active C, total N, and soil protein) and total P produced the highest weighting factors. We also tested if there were linkages between the soil health and crop productivity by assessing the cereal yields for the past 10 years as reported from the same rural municipalities where the soil samples were collected. A positive relationship between soil health and yields was most apparent during dry years; thus, we recommend further research to explore this linkage at a finer-scale. Overall, this research forms the foundation of a promising framework that can be built upon, and in due course, lead to the development of a tool for producers who are interested in tracking soil health and using the results to inform management.

Effect of ingestion of hydrolysable tannins in Terminalia oblongata on digestion in sheep fed Stylosanthes hamata

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
CS McSweeney ◽  
PM Kennedy ◽  
A John
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Alimentary Tract ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
N Loss ◽  
Total N ◽  
Stylosanthes Hamata ◽  
Intestinal Digestion ◽  
Hydrolysable Tannins ◽  
Microbial N

Effect of hydrolysable tannins in the browse tree Terminalia oblongalu (yellow-wood) on digestion of organic matter, fibre and nitrogen in the stomach and intestines, was studied in sheep fed a basal diet of the tropical legume Stylosanthes hamata (verano). These tannins are toxic to the liver and kidneys, but their effect on digestion is not known. Although two of the four sheep used showed signs of yellow-wood toxicity with an intake of 0.9 g tannin/kg body weight, there were no significant effects on OM, N and CWC digestion of verano in the alimentary tract as a whole. However, yellow-wood appeared to depress OM and CWC digestion in the stomach, but this was compensated for by greater intestinal digestion. The OM digestibility of verano in the whole tract was 0.59 of intake, with two-thirds due to digestion in the stomach. About 0.87 of the total N loss (0.68 of intake) in the gut occurred in the intestines, and microbial N production was 33 g/kg of verano OM digested in the stomach. Therefore intake of non-toxic levels of yellow-wood should not compromise digestion.

scholarly journals Soil Quality and Organic Matter Pools in a Temperate Climate (Northern Italy) under Different Land Uses

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1815
Author(s):  
Livia Vittori Antisari ◽  
William Trenti ◽  
Mauro De Feudis ◽  
Gianluca Bianchini ◽  
Gloria Falsone
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil Microbial ◽  
Microbial C

Temperate soils are threatened by degradation and soil organic matter (SOM) loss due to a combination of geomorphology, soil types, and anthropic pressure. In 54 sites in Northern Italy, characterized by different land uses, climates, geological substrates, and soils, we assessed (i) the soil quality, (ii) the SOM accumulation/degradation patterns, and (iii) whether land use and related soil management practices are sustainable based on changes in soil quality. Soil samples from the 0–15 and 15–30 cm deep layers were collected and analyzed for the soil parameters recommended by the FAO (bulk density, pH, organic and microbial C, total N, and soil respiration rate) and for the chemical SOM pools. Parameters related to the efficient use of soil microbial C were also calculated. The findings showed that agricultural lands where organic material was added had good soil quality and used microbial C efficiently. Reclaimed peaty soils degraded because the conditions were too stressful for the soil microbial biomass as supported by high metabolic quotient and the low values of mineralization quotient, microbial quotient, and soil biofertility index. Conservative management practices carried out in chestnuts were found to have a decreased soil degradation risk. An investigation of the soil parameters recommended by the FAO can be used to evaluate sustainable practices and soil quality on microbial activity and SOM dynamics.

Long-term effects of tillage and nitrogen fertilization on soil C and N fractions in a corn-soybean rotation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mervin St. Luce ◽  
Noura Ziadi ◽  
Martin H. Chantigny ◽  
Justin Braun
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Glycine Max L ◽  
C And N ◽  
N Rates

Tillage and nitrogen (N) fertilization can influence soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics, but their interactive effects remain contradictory. A long-term (25 yr) corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) rotation was used to investigate the effect of tillage [moldboard plow (MP) and no-till (NT)] and N rates (0, 80 and 160 kg N ha-1) on soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (STN), respiration, and SOM fractions [particulate organic matter (POMC, POMN), mineral-associated organic matter (MAOMC, MAOMN), and microbial biomass (MBC, MBN)]. Results indicate that NT had 27% higher SOC and 24% higher STN than MP in the 0-20 cm depth. Furthermore, SOC and STN stocks (0-20 cm) were 22% and 20% higher, respectively, under NT than MP. There was significant stratification under NT, with a rather uniform distribution under MP. The SOM fractions and soil respiration were 28-275% and 20-83% higher at the 0-5 and 5-10 cm depths, respectively, under NT than MP. Interestingly, N fertilizer rate or its interaction with tillage had no impact, except for respiration (tillage × N rate and N rate × depth). Hence, while N addition was required for adequate grain production and increased cumulative plant C and N inputs, our findings indicate that the vertical distribution of SOC, STN and SOM fractions were affected by tillage, thereby influencing resource accessibility and subsequent dynamics of SOM fractions. Taken together, our results support the adoption of NT and judicious use of N fertilizers for enhancing topsoil SOM storage and fertility under humid temperate conditions.

Afforestation of pastures with Pinus radiata influences soil carbon and nitrogen pools and mineralisation and microbial properties

Soil Research ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Ross ◽  
K. R. Tate ◽  
N. A. Scott ◽  
R. H. Wilde ◽  
N. J. Rodda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Total N ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Microbial Properties ◽  
C And N ◽  
Microbial C

In New Zealand, Pinus radiata D. Don is frequently planted on land under pasture primarily for production forestry, but with the added advantage of potentially offsetting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy and industrial sources. Conversion of pasture to P. radiata plantations can, however, result in lowered contents of soil carbon (C) at some sites. We here examine the effects of this land-use change on soil C and nitrogen (N) pools, and on microbial properties involved in the cycling of these nutrients, at 5 paired sites, each with an established pasture and P. radiata plantation. Four sites had first-rotation trees aged 12–30 years and the other site second-rotation trees aged 20 years. In mineral soil at 0–10 cm depth, total and microbial C and N, extractable C, CO2-C production, and, generally, net mineral-N production were lower under P. radiata than under pasture; differences were significant (P < 0.05), except for total and extractable C at 2 sites. Differences between these land uses were less distinct in soil at 10–30 cm depth. On an area basis, total C in 0–30 cm depth soil was lower under P. radiata than under pasture at most sites, but significantly lower at only one site. Total N, microbial C and N, and CO2-C and net mineral-N production were, however, again generally significantly lower under P. radiata. These ecosystem differences were less marked, although still present, except for CO2-C production, when forest litter (LFH material) was included in the area calculations. Overall, our study suggests that afforestation with P. radiata leads to a reduction in total N, microbial biomass, and microbial activity, but a less consistent effect on soil C storage after one rotation.

scholarly journals Atmospheric N deposition causes carbon balance gains in a seven year field experiment in subalpine grassland

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Volk ◽  
Jan Enderle ◽  
Seraina Bassin
Keyword(s):  
N Deposition ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Total N ◽  
Plant Yield ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Grassland Ecosystems ◽  
Unimodal Response ◽  
Microbial N

Abstract. Air pollution agents interact when affecting biological sinks for atmospheric CO2, e.g. the soil organic carbon (SOC) content of grassland ecosystems. Factors favoring plant productivity, like atmospheric N deposition, are usually considered to favor SOC storage. In a seven year experiment in subalpine grassland under N- and O3-deposition treatment, we examined C-fluxes and -pools. Total N deposition was 4, 9, 14, 29 and 54 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N4, N9, etc.), annual mean phytotoxic O3 dose was 49, 65 and 89 mmol m−2 projected leaf area. We hypothesized that SOC of this mature ecosystem would not change in control treatments, but that effects of air pollutants on plant yield, net ecosystem productivity (NEP) and SOC content would develop in parallel, leading to SOC content to increase with N deposition. In the control treatment SOC increased significantly by 9 % in seven years. Cumulative plant yield showed a highly significant N effect (+38 % in N54), but no O3-effect. Cumulative NEP did show a strong, yet statistically insignificant, hump shaped response pattern to N deposition with a +62 % increase in N14, and only +39 % increase in N54. SOC had a similar response to N, with highest gains at intermediate N deposition rates (9 and 14 kg N ha−1 yr−1), suggesting an unimodal response, too. We assume the strong, pollutant-independent soil C sink developed as a consequence of the management change from grazing to cutting. The non-parallel response of SOC and NEP compared to plant yield under N deposition is likely the result of increased respiratory SOC losses, following mitigated microbial N-limitation or priming effects, and a shift in plant C allocation leading to smaller C input from roots.

Effect of crop management on C and N in long-term crop rotations after adopting no-tillage management: Comparison of soil sampling strategies

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Campbell ◽  
F. Selles ◽  
G. P. Lafond ◽  
B. G. McConkey ◽  
D. Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N ◽  
Over Time

Society is interested in increasing C storage in soil to reduce CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, because the latter may contribute to global warming. Further, there is considerable interest in the use of straw for industrial purposes. Using soil samples taken from the 0- to 7.5-cm and 7.5- to 15-cm depths in May 1987 and September 1996, we determined organic C and total N in five crop rotations (nine treatments) using automated Carlo Erba combustion analyzer. The experiment was managed using conventional mechanical tillage from 1957 to 1989; it was changed to no-tillage management in 1990. Our objective was to determine: (a) if change to no-tillage management had changed soil C and N storage, and (b) if method of calculating organic C and N change would influence interpretation of the results. All three methods of calculation confirmed the efficacy of employing best management practices (e.g., fertilization based on soil tests, reducing summerfallow, including legumes in rotations) for increasing or maintaining soil organic matter, and showed that the latter was directly associated with the amount of crop residues returned to the soil. Where bulk density was significantly different between sampling times, the often used mass per fixed depth (MFD) (i.e., volume basis) calculation can lead to erroneous conclusions. When the recently recommended mass per equal depth (MED) method of calculation was used, it showed that 6 yr of no-tillage did not increase soil organic C or total N. However, in unfertilized systems, where crop yields are gradually decreasing since the change, there is an accompanying decrease in organic matter, while fertilized, or high-fertility systems that include legume hay crops, in which wheat yields have been maintained have tended to maintain the organic matter level over time. When the MFD calculation was used, there was no change in C over time when straw was harvested in the F–W–W system; however, the MED calculation and concentrations tend to show a decrease in soil C and N. This suggests that in time, industrial use of straw may have negative consequences for soil conservation. We concluded that concentrations may be as effective as MED for assessing changes in organic matter, provided "amounts" are not required. Key words: Straw removal, fertilizers, legumes, cropping frequency, C mass calculation

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